Globe denied infrastructure cash for renovation of armoury

Independent Free Press

Globe Musical Productions was turned down recently for federal/provincial infrastructure funding to renovate the old Georgetown Armoury in the fairgrounds, but that will not deter the group from moving forward with its plans for the building.The group is renovating the building for its new home and hopes to be in by early summer.Globe president Lois Fraser said she was informed recently the group wasn’t successful in getting the grant through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The provincial and federal governments and Globe were to kick in about $300,000 each for a total of $900,000.“It’s very bad news,” said Fraser. She said the money was to be used to do all the needed repairs to the building, build an outdoor performance space, outdoor gazebo and tourism booth.“It was a long shot with lots of non-profit groups applying for it.” She said their proposal closely matched the criteria and they were hopeful to get it, but she said the group is relieved to have an answer, as nothing could be done with renovations while it awaited word on the funding.Now the group is going forward with replacing the roof on the 142-year-old building that was built to respond to the Fenian Raids in the mid-19th Century. The interior false ceiling will be removed and the old barn beams restored.Globe is funding the roof replacement, approximately $125,000, itself and has applied for a $151,000 Trillium grant. If that comes through— they should know this month— the money will be used for exterior wall upgrades, insulation, drywall, windows, electrical rewiring, energy-efficient heating, new stairs to the second floor and a barrier-free washroom.“We sure hope that we get this Trillium grant so that Globe’s future fundraising can centre on getting a stage and lighting so that we can put on small shows,” said Fraser.She said Globe’s intention is to allow other cultural or heritage groups to use the space when Globe isn’t rehearsing.“We will be able to support the fall fair and Highland Games organizers in providing space for some events,” said Fraser. She said the goal is to “restore the historically significant building.”Globe currently rents space at Norval Hall and St. John’s United Church. Their sets and costumes are crammed in a small space that Fraser said is “truly inadequate for our needs.”“Globe is absolutely thrilled we are going to be able to have our own home,” said Fraser. “This time last year we didn’t even have a dream of getting our own home.”She credits the Town of Halton Hills for making the dream a reality because she said Globe would never have been able to afford anything otherwise.Earlier this year the Town transferred ownership of the armoury for an unspecified nominal consideration, excluding the land, and allocated $29,350— which was to be used to demolish the building— to the Globe project.